John King argues that the city's new guidelines may leave too many loopholes open, potentially defeating their purpose: well-integrated new buildings.
Design critic John King praises San Francisco's intent, but raises doubts about the effectiveness of a new set of urban design guidelines. "The inherent subjectivity of such standards could muddy the waters rather than lead to better buildings, which is what we really need."
The issues King raises are architectural; the guidelines don't impact density. The document "wouldn't affect the low-slung residential districts of the city, which have their own guidelines, and it wouldn't alter the height or bulk of what's allowed in the neighborhoods and commercial districts covered by the new guidelines."
Loopholes and vague language are the main worry. By trying to be all things to all people, the guidelines could backfire and become meaningless. "Part of the problem is that no document can defuse the perennial tension between San Franciscans who want new buildings to look as if they've been here all along, and those who want the city to be a contemporary showcase on par with Barcelona or Rotterdam."
On a deeper level, King worries that "standards that upgrade the sorriest proposed buildings also can be applied so joylessly and dutifully that imaginative architecture gets pressed into a predictable mold."
FULL STORY: Do urban design guidelines help or hinder growing cities?
Duany on the Imperatives of Urban Design Codes
Andres Duany takes to the CNU's Public Square to argue for the critical need for codes in a built environment awash in mediocrity.
Architectural Renderings Depict Only the 'Wired and Young'
John King shares his thoughts on modern renderings. In too many drawings a hipster cult of youth is normalized, and it threatens to paint regular folks and true nonconformists out of the picture.
San Francisco Bans Right Turns on Red at 200 Intersections
More cities are reversing the 1970s policy due to its disproportionate involvement in pedestrian crashes.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
